scholarly journals The Arginase Pathway in Neonatal Brain Hypoxia-Ischemia

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 437-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Krystofova ◽  
Praneeti Pathipati ◽  
Jeffrey Russ ◽  
Ann Sheldon ◽  
Donna Ferriero

Brain damage after hypoxia-ischemia (HI) occurs in an age-dependent manner. Neuroprotective strategies assumed to be effective in adults might have deleterious effects in the immature brain. In order to create effective therapies, the complex pathophysiology of HI in the developing brain requires exploring new mechanisms. Critical determinants of neuronal survival after HI are the extent of vascular dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress, followed later by tissue repair. The key enzyme of these processes in the human body is arginase (ARG) that acts via the bioavailability of nitric oxide, and the synthesis of polyamines and proline. ARG is expressed throughout the brain in different cells. However, little is known about the effect of ARG in pathophysiological states of the brain, especially hypoxia-ischemia. Here, we summarize the role of ARG during neurodevelopment as well as in various brain pathologies.

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 426-431
Author(s):  
Jin Xuezhu ◽  
Li Jitong ◽  
Nie Leigang ◽  
Xue Junlai

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the role of citrus leaf extract in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury and its potential molecular mechanism. Carbon tetrachloride was used to construct hepatic injury animal model. To this end, rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, carbon tetrachloride-treated, and two carbon tetrachloride + citrus leaf extract-treated groups. The results show that citrus leaf extract treatment significantly reversed the effects of carbon tetrachloride on the body weight changes and liver index. Besides, treatment with citrus leaf extract also reduced the levels of serum liver enzymes and oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. H&E staining and western blotting suggested that citrus leaf extract could repair liver histological damage by regulating AMPK and Nrf-2.


Author(s):  
Mariko Nakata ◽  
Masayuki Shimoda ◽  
Shinya Yamamoto

Abstract Irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light on the cortical surface can induce a focal brain lesion (UV lesion) in rodents. In the present study, we investigated the process of establishing a UV lesion. Rats underwent UV irradiation (365 nm wavelength, 2.0 mWh) over the dura, and time-dependent changes in the cortical tissue were analyzed histologically. We found that the majority of neurons in the lesion started to degenerate within 24 hours and the rest disappeared within 5 days after irradiation. UV-induced neuronal degeneration progressed in a layer-dependent manner. Moreover, UV-induced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positivity and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) immunoreactivity were also detected. These findings suggest that UV irradiation in the brain can induce gradual neural degeneration and oxidative stress. Importantly, UV vulnerability may vary among cortical layers. UV-induced cell death may be due to apoptosis; however, there remains a possibility that UV-irradiated cells were degenerated via processes other than apoptosis. The UV lesion technique will not only assist in investigating brain function at a targeted site but may also serve as a pathophysiological model of focal brain injury and/or neurodegenerative disorders.


2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1001-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunie Ando ◽  
Karelle Leroy ◽  
Céline Heraud ◽  
Anna Kabova ◽  
Zehra Yilmaz ◽  
...  

We have reported previously a tau transgenic mouse model (Tg30tau) overexpressing human 4R1N double-mutant tau (P301S and G272V) and that develops AD (Alzheimer's disease)-like NFTs (neurofibrillary tangles) in an age-dependent manner. Since murine tau might interfere with the toxic effects of human mutant tau, we set out to analyse the phenotype of our Tg30tau model in the absence of endogenous murine tau with the aim to reproduce more faithfully a model of human tauopathy. By crossing the Tg30tau line with TauKO (tau-knockout) mice, we have obtained a new mouse line called Tg30×TauKO that expresses only exogenous human double-mutant 4R1N tau. Whereas Tg30×TauKO mice express fewer tau proteins compared with Tg30tau, they exhibit augmented sarkosyl-insoluble tau in the brain and an increased number of Gallyas-positive NFTs in the hippocampus. Taken together, exclusion of murine tau causes accelerated tau aggregation during aging of this mutant tau transgenic model.


Author(s):  
Lingfeng Qin ◽  
Haifeng Zhang ◽  
Busu Li ◽  
Quan Jiang ◽  
Francesc Lopez ◽  
...  

Objective: Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) can happen anywhere in the body, although they most commonly produce symptoms in the brain. The role of CCM genes in other vascular beds outside the brain and retina is not well-examined, although the 3 CCM-associated genes ( CCM1 , CCM2 , and CCM3 ) are ubiquitously expressed in all tissues. We aimed to determine the role of CCM gene in lymphatics. Approach and Results: Mice with an inducible pan–endothelial cell (EC) or lymphatic EC deletion of Ccm3 ( Pdcd10 ECKO or Pdcd10 LECKO ) exhibit dilated lymphatic capillaries and collecting vessels with abnormal valve structure. Morphological alterations were correlated with lymphatic dysfunction in Pdcd10 LECKO mice as determined by Evans blue dye and fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)-dextran transport assays. Pdcd10 LECKO lymphatics had increased VEGFR3 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3)-ERK1/2 signaling with lymphatic hyperplasia. Mechanistic studies suggested that VEGFR3 is primarily regulated at a transcriptional level in Ccm3-deficient lymphatic ECs, in an NF-κB (nuclear factor κB)–dependent manner. CCM3 binds to importin alpha 2/KPNA2 (karyopherin subunit alpha 2), and a CCM3 deletion releases KPNA2 to activate NF-κB P65 by facilitating its nuclear translocation and P65-dependent VEGFR3 transcription. Moreover, increased VEGFR3 in lymphatic EC preferentially activates ERK1/2 signaling, which is critical for lymphatic EC proliferation. Importantly, inhibition of VEGFR3 or ERK1/2 rescued the lymphatic defects in structure and function. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that CCM3 deletion augments the VEGFR3-ERK1/2 signaling in lymphatic EC that drives lymphatic hyperplasia and malformation and warrant further investigation on the potential clinical relevance of lymphatic dysfunction in patients with CCM.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Yao ◽  
Jyoti Gautam ◽  
Xuanming Zhang

Introduction: Laminin, a major component of the basement membrane, plays an important role in blood brain barrier (BBB) regulation. At the neurovascular unit, astrocytes, brain endothelial cells, and pericytes synthesize and deposit different laminin isoforms into the basement membrane. Previous studies from our laboratory showed that loss of astrocytic laminin induces age-dependent and region-specific BBB breakdown and intracerebral hemorrhage, suggesting a critical role of astrocytic laminin in vascular integrity maintenance. Laminin α4 (predominantly generated by endothelial cells) has been shown to regulate vascular integrity at embryonic/neonatal stage. The role of pericytic laminin in vascular integrity, however, remains elusive. Methods: We investigated the function of pericyte-derived laminin in vascular integrity using laminin conditional knockout mice. Specifically, laminin floxed mice were crossed with PDGFRβ-Cre line to generate mutants (PKO) with laminin deficiency in PDGFRβ + cells, which include both pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs). To distinguish the contribution of pericyte- and vSMC-derived laminin, we also generated a vSMC-specific condition knockout line (TKO) by crossing the laminin floxed mice with Transgelin-Cre mice. In this study, mice of both genders on a C57Bl6 background were used. At least 5-6 animals were used in biochemical and histological analyses in this study. Results: Pericyte-derived laminin was abrogated in all PKO mice. However, only old but not young PKO mice showed signs of BBB breakdown and reduced vessel density, suggesting age-dependent changes. Consistent with these data, further mechanistic studies revealed reduced tight junction proteins, diminished AQP4 expression, and deceased pericyte coverage in old but not young PKO mice. In addition, neither BBB disruption nor decreased vessel density was observed in TKO mice, suggesting that these vascular defects are due to loss of pericyte- rather than vSMC-derived laminin. Conclusions: These results strongly suggest that pericyte-derived laminin active regulates BBB integrity and vessel density in an age-dependent manner. I would like this abstract to be considered for the Stroke Basic Science Award.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11313
Author(s):  
Sana Javaid ◽  
Talha Farooq ◽  
Zohabia Rehman ◽  
Ammara Afzal ◽  
Waseem Ashraf ◽  
...  

The incidences of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are increasing globally because of expanding population and increased dependencies on motorized vehicles and machines. This has resulted in increased socio-economic burden on the healthcare system, as TBIs are often associated with mental and physical morbidities with lifelong dependencies, and have severely limited therapeutic options. There is an emerging need to identify the molecular mechanisms orchestrating these injuries to life-long neurodegenerative disease and a therapeutic strategy to counter them. This review highlights the dynamics and role of choline-containing phospholipids during TBIs and how they can be used to evaluate the severity of injuries and later targeted to mitigate neuro-degradation, based on clinical and preclinical studies. Choline-based phospholipids are involved in maintaining the structural integrity of the neuronal/glial cell membranes and are simultaneously the essential component of various biochemical pathways, such as cholinergic neuronal transmission in the brain. Choline or its metabolite levels increase during acute and chronic phases of TBI because of excitotoxicity, ischemia and oxidative stress; this can serve as useful biomarker to predict the severity and prognosis of TBIs. Moreover, the effect of choline-replenishing agents as a post-TBI management strategy has been reviewed in clinical and preclinical studies. Overall, this review determines the theranostic potential of choline phospholipids and provides new insights in the management of TBI.


Author(s):  
Sofia Khanam

We have learned over the last several decades that the brain is an important target for insulin action. In central nervous system (CNS) it mainly affects feeding behaviour and various aspects of memory and cognition. Insulin signalling in CNS has emerged as a novel field of research since decreases brain insulin levels and signalling were associated to impaired learning, memory and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Alterations of these functional activities may contribute to the manifestation of several clinical entities, such as central insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A close alliance between T2DM and AD has been reported, to the extent that AD is twice more frequent in diabetic patients. There are links between T2DM and AD through mitochondrial alterations and oxidative stress, altered energy and glucose metabolism, cholesterol modifications, dysfunctional protein O-GlcNAcylation, formation of amyloid plaques, altered Aβ metabolism and tau hyperphosphorylation. Herewith, we aim to integrate the metabolic, neuromodulatory, and neuroprotective roles of insulin in two age-related pathologies: T2DM and AD, both in terms of intracellular signalling and potential therapeutic approach.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fikru B. Bedada ◽  
Oyonumo E. Ntekim ◽  
Evaristus O. Nwulia ◽  
Thomas V. Fungwe ◽  
Sheeba Raaj Nadarajah ◽  
...  

The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) and FOXOs transcription factors play a pivotal role in cellular clearance and minimizing the accumulation of Aβ in neurodegeneration (ND). In African Americans (AAs) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the role of components of UPS and FOXOs; and whether they are amenable to exercise effects is unknown. We hypothesized that exercise can enhance cellular clearance systems during aging and ND by increasing expressions of FBXO32 and FOXO1. To test this hypothesis, we used TaqMan gene expression analysis in peripheral blood (PB) to investigate the component of UPS and FOXOs; and provide mechanistic insight at baseline, during exercise, and in both genders. At baseline, levels of FBXO32 were higher in women than in men. In our attempt to discern gender-specific exercise-related changes, we observed that levels of FBXO32 increased in men but not in women. Similarly, levels of FOXO1 increased in men only. These data suggest that a graded dose of FBXO32 and FOXO1 may be beneficial when PB cells carrying FBXO32 and FOXO1 summon into the brain in response to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) perturbation (docking station PB cells). Our observation is consistent with emerging studies that exercise allows the trafficking of blood factors. Given the significance of FBXO32 and FOXO1 to ND and associated muscle integrity, our findings may explain, at least in part, the benefits of exercise on memory, associated gait, and balance perturbation acknowledged to herald the emergence of MCI.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Maejima ◽  
Shigeki Kato ◽  
Shoichiro Horita ◽  
Yoichi Ueta ◽  
Seiichi Takenoshita ◽  
...  

AbstractBody weight (BW) is regulated in age-dependent manner; it continues to increase during growth period, and reaches a plateau once reaching adulthood. However, its underlying mechanism remains unknown. Regarding such mechanisms in the brain, we here report that neural circuits from the hypothalamus (paraventricular nucleus: PVN) to the brainstem (dorsal vagal complex: DVC) suppress late-onset BW gain without affecting food intake. The genetic suppression of the PVN-DVC circuit induced BW increase only in aged rats, indicating that this circuit contributes to suppress the BW at a fixed level after reaching adulthood. PVN neurons in the hypothalamus were inactive in younger rats but active in aged rats. The density of neuropeptide Y (NPY) terminal/fiber is reduced in the aged rat PVN area. The differences in neuronal activity, including oxytocin neurons in the PVN, were affected by the application of NPY or its receptor inhibitor, indicating that NPY is a possible regulator of this pathway. Our data provide new insights into understanding age-dependent BW regulation.


1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (1) ◽  
pp. G86-G92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Gregus ◽  
A. F. Stein ◽  
C. D. Klaassen

The role of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in the biliary excretion of glutathione (GS) was studied in rats during postnatal development. Between 2 and 10 wk of age the biliary excretion of GS-related sulfur increased ninefold. During this period, alterations were observed in both hepatic GGT and the composition of GS-related thiols and disulfides in bile. For instance, between 3 and 4 wk of age, GGT activity and the biliary excretion of GS hydrolysis products (Cys-Gly and Cys) increased markedly, and the latter became the predominant sulfhydryls in bile. However, by 10 wk of age, the excretion rate of GS increased and exceeded the rate of excretion of Cys-Gly and Cys. The parallelism between hepatic GGT activity and the biliary excretion of GS-hydrolysis products during development suggests a role for GGT in the formation of biliary Cys-Gly and Cys. Furthermore, in 4-wk-old rats, inhibition of hepatic GGT by acivicin markedly decreased the biliary excretion of Cys-Gly and Cys and increased that of GS without influencing the excretion of total GS-related sulfur in bile. The biliary excretion of GS-related thiols was less responsive to acivicin in 2- and 7- to 10-wk-old rats, suggesting that GGT plays a smaller role in influencing biliary thiol composition at those ages. In summary, GS transported into bile is hydrolyzed in an age-dependent manner, however, the GGT-initiated hydrolysis of GS does not affect the biliary excretion of total thiols in rats.


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